I have read about this gap here and other sites. Most people say this gap is normal and needed.
Well I can say I’ve worked on cars all my life. While never on a beetle, this gap bothered me since I rebuilt the front end a few years back as I’ve never seen this on any other car. Every time I hit a bump I alway felt the shock go through my spine. My logic was not when the tire moves up, but when you go over a hole in the road that pulls the tire down it seems that it would travel down until the cap stops and bangs.
So after another repair last week, I decided to try something and made rubber spacers and put them under the cap. They are 1/4” thick.
Wow - what a difference in the ride. No more banging.
Naturally after installing these I now see a company actually makes them for $55.
These are simple rubber washers. I had thought about plastic, but opted for the softer material.
So weather or not my logic holds true, my car rides much better.
![Image]()
Well I can say I’ve worked on cars all my life. While never on a beetle, this gap bothered me since I rebuilt the front end a few years back as I’ve never seen this on any other car. Every time I hit a bump I alway felt the shock go through my spine. My logic was not when the tire moves up, but when you go over a hole in the road that pulls the tire down it seems that it would travel down until the cap stops and bangs.
So after another repair last week, I decided to try something and made rubber spacers and put them under the cap. They are 1/4” thick.
Wow - what a difference in the ride. No more banging.
Naturally after installing these I now see a company actually makes them for $55.
These are simple rubber washers. I had thought about plastic, but opted for the softer material.
So weather or not my logic holds true, my car rides much better.
